MetalJazz

Words About Music by Greg Burk and Friends

Fri. Jan. 3 -- Saxist/educator Ray Briggs continues his valuable history series by examining the role of women in jazz; I suppose he'll be talking about Lil Hardin, Melba Liston, Marian McPartland, Carla Bley, Toshiko Akiyoshi and colleagues in the first part, which starts this Friday the 3rd, then rolling into the present with Geri Allen, Cindy Blackman, Nicole Mitchell, Esperanza Spalding & co. for the second part, which starts March 21. Oh, I forgot to mention Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day and all the great singers, sorry 'bout that. At Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 Hill Ave., Pasadena 91106; Fridays 10am and Tuesdays 7pm; $300 for each stretch; (626) 683-3355; www.pasadenaconservatory.org.